I visited lots of blogs and read some wonderful reviews (added books to my TBR list and took note of ones to avoid) but was only able to comment on a few...Blogger seems to have taken a dislike to me...not content with wiping out the entire list of blogs that I follow it has now reduced the "comment as...choose profile" box to almost nothing so it won't let me log in...sigh....
My book for June was "Beastly Things" by Donna Leon
I can see a distinct pattern to my reading habits as this is another book in a series....it seems I only try new authors on Kindle....
The series features Inspector Brunetti and is set in Venice - a character in its own right and not just a picturesque setting.
The book starts with the recovery of a man's body from one of the canals. Who was he? Who killed him? Why?
Brunetti finds the answers to all these questions but the book is so much more than a police procedural.
While we follow Brunetti's investigation around the city, through tourist spots and more mundane streets, we learn how the singular nature of Venice has shaped the character of its inhabitants. The mainland is a place to visit only if absolutely necessary...
We are also given a feel for Italian politics and bureaucracy......lots of red tape and who you know is more important than what you know.
The EU is seen as interfering and its rules and regulations as annoyances.
There are also discussions on morality - is it OK to technically break the law in order to do good? If you know something bad about someone do you tell or keep quiet?
I enjoyed the book very much. Donna Leon has a fluid writing style and, although American, she really does impart the feel of Venice and its inhabitants.
One word of warning (without giving the plot away) there are some "gruesome" scenes and I was tempted to become a vegetarian.
Now on to my art work.
I've gone back to collage this month...inspired by a tutorial from "Cloth, Paper, Scissors" I aimed for a textured background and a transparent foreground:
The background is made up of images of Venice, clothes tags (The Original Macaroni is actually knitwear by Weird Fish, the weird fish is also a label), food and drink labels (it was a real hardship to drink the Prosecco for its textured label), ribbon and a black leather tag from a handbag. I brushed on some silver paint in places.
The foreground is a map of Venice printed on acetate.
I'm looking forward to reading this month's reviews...and hope I may even be able to comment!
14 comments:
Not sure if I'd cope with gruesome in it's written format and your statement about becoming a vegetarian had me running for the hills! But I've been to Venice so then I think - maybe? Actually who am I kidding I can't get my own book read let alone add more to my list.
Loving the collage you created too!
I... Love... the... title!
And your reference about gruesome scenes that might leave me wanting to become a vegetarian have left me morbidly curious. Watch me, I will be that cat *sigh*
Your art piece looks very worldly and traveled. I just read The Water Mirror, set in Venice, so your choice makes me think of it ;-)
This book sounds really good - I do like a good murder mystery - and I love Venice too.
And your collage looks fab too although the photo is so small, I wish I could see it more closely....
Almost turned Vegetarian!!!! That is the scariest thing I've read in ages lol....fabulous layering on the collage :D XXX
Not my read probably since I already feel sorry for most animals and won't eat them... :-)
Luckily your Art is just beautiful and not gruesome at all!♥
Sounds like a great read...except for the turning vegetarian part!! Love anything about Venice. Your art is like a travelogue...
wonderful!!
You have NO idea how I can relate to your Blogger problems. For months, I couldn't see the links and Darcy even had to sign me in, or I'd never been able to play. Could only comment if I went through my translator. So, I empathize.
However, I had fun reading your review. Never been to Venice, or anywhere outside the states. But I love a good mystery and was laughing all the way to my vegetarian dinner. Sure enjoyed your collage, too. What a fun read!
I am a fan of a good mystery; this one sounds great (albeit gory but many of them are). Great collage of all things Italian!
Venice is probably my favourite city! I don't know if I have a strong enough stomach for this novel, though! I loved your collage, especially the colour and the wonderful eclectic collection of elements! Julie Ann xx
Lots to see in your collage, had to keep enlarging to have another look. Super. The book is not for me though as I do not do gruesome.
Jen x
Yep that one line seams to put us all off this book, including myself. Even though I am a meat eater, I don't like the thought of cruelty to animals (I know that's sounds so contradictory & wrong) much less read about it.
But the art work, now that, I can live with :) Dxx
A very interesting collage with lots of elements and textures. Sounds a good read apart from the gruesome bit. Thanks for the warning!
Janet xx
I love reading books set in Venice, or any Italian town, though I've never been, and this one sounds interesting. But then, BOING you told us about the gruesome bits, and I am vegetarian! So thanks for the warning. Your artwork uses some really good techniques, and certainly gives plenty to examine. A great piece.
Oh i am sorry Susan I thought I had commented on this. It sounds like such a good book - I am intrigued as to what almost turned you veggie.
Your collage s gorgeous, I love how it turned out!
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